Editorial: Military museum born out of Dan Lewis' vision

A veteran of Vietnam who received a Purple Heart after being wounded during his tour of duty, he recalled protesters vilifying soldiers returning from 'Nam -- including him.

He recalled being carried on a stretcher and people yelling at him and other soldiers, calling them baby killers and spitting on them.

Lewis visited numerous battlefields and gathered souvenirs in his travles -- and in 1998 opened the U.S. Military Historical Museum on State Street across from City Park.

His collection included uniforms, weapons and equipment from the Revolutionary War right up through Iraq and Afghanistan and gave Morgan County residents and visitors a look into America at war.

It was not, he said time and time again, devoted to war but rather to the people who served.

When chatting about the museum that he devoted considerable time, energy and money to, he would sometimes ask his companion in conversation if he had served.

If the person answered in the affirmative, Lewis would say, "Thank you for your service."

But his patriotism did not stop with the museum. For years he was the driving force behind a "Day of Patriotism" that sometimes included battle reenactments, a huge crane hoisting a gigantic American flag, displays of military vehicles, an Air Force Academy drill team and a salute to veterans.

Lewis had a band of volunteers who helped him run the museum, opening it for special events and by appointment.

Advertisement

His health is not what it used to be, though, and the museum will be closing soon -- with its collection being dispersed to the Fort Morgan and Brush museums and other locales.

The last public tours will be Saturday, June 22 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. during the Glenn Miller SwingFest.

We heartily recommend that you stop by -- and if Lewis is around, thank him for his military service and sharing his vision of honoring veterans with us.

The views expressed in The Times editorial are independent from the news coverage, offering our opinion and additional commentary on items of public interest. The editor can be reached at editor@fmtimes.com.

ODESSA, Texas (AP) — A West Texas man has been charged with impersonating an officer by using sirens and flashing lights to skip to the head of the drive-thru line at a fast-food restaurant. Full Story

Sufjan Stevens, "Carrie & Lowell" (Asthmatic Kitty) Plucked strings and pulsing keyboards dominate the distinctive arrangements on Sufjan Stevens' latest album, and in the absence of a rhythm section, they serve to keep time. Full Story